Treatment and prevention of skin cancer
Skin cancer treatment:
The type, size and location of your cancer are some of the things that will affect the way it is treated.
If you have non-melanoma (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma), your treatment may include:
Skin cancer removal. A dermatologist can do this in his office. You will be awake for the short procedure, with a local anesthesia to numb the affected part of your skin. The doctor will remove the cancer and a small edge of normal-looking skin around it with a scalpel. They will use stitches to close the skin.
Mohs surgery (for high-risk cases). The doctor will remove layer after layer of the cancer, and examine each layer under a microscope until it is completely gone.
Electrocautery. In the office, these procedures take 5 minutes or less. You will be given anesthesia in the affected area. Your doctor will use a metal scoop machine followed by an electric needle to scrape the cancer cells.
Cryosurgery or freezing. You will get this done in your doctor’s office. They will use a spray, cotton swab, or metal device called a cryoprobe to apply extremely cold liquid nitrogen to the cancer. This freezes the cancer cells and the surrounding cells directly. The frozen skin thaws and forms a crust that eventually falls off, leaving a white scar.
“> Chemotherapy skin creams. Your doctor will prescribe a cream or gel for you to use at home on an area of your skin where you have a precancerous growth or directly on skin cancer. You will use it at night, twice daily, or three times a week for up to 3 months. You destroy these.” Cancer cell treatments.
If you have had melanoma, your treatment may include:
Cancer removal
Examination of the nearby lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread
Medicines, if cancer has spread to your body; These drugs include chemotherapy that kills cancer cells, and biological drugs that target cancer cells or work with your immune system to fight cancer.
Radiation therapy if you have advanced cancer
Skin cancer prevention:
Follow these tips to help prevent skin cancer:
Apply sunscreen every day. It should have an SPF of at least 30 and should be “broad spectrum”, which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Apply 15 minutes before going outside. Repeat application every 80 minutes when you are outside, and more. When swimming or sweating.Check the label for directions.
Choose clothing, cosmetics, and contact lenses that provide UV protection.
Choose sunglasses with full UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face and neck.
If you have children, be a good role model for sun protection and help your child learn how to take good care of his skin.
Check your skin at least once a month so that you know what is normal for you. This will help you notice any changes or new growth.
Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which are the peak hours of UV rays. UVA rays, which cause premature skin aging and cause skin cancers, fade throughout the day.